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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Truth Revealed

Yesterday after work was the time to enjoy one of my birthday gift certificates that I had been holding on to. A massage! Oh, glorious delight! One of the families in our church has a favorite massage therapist and decided to bless me with a visit to her.

I spent the day in anticipation. I have been privileged to enjoy a massage two or three other times and they have always been a great treat. Soft music playing; a whisper fan blowing; lights low; warm fragrant oils; gentle strokes easing away tension and relaxing muscles.

But yesterday was a massage of a different sort.

From the moment I first met "Elba" I knew I was in trouble. The tiny lady looked up at me and said in a stern voice, "Okay, what's your problem?!"

"Umm, I don't really have a problem, as such. I'm just here for the massage."

But she kept looking at me with penetrating eyes. So I said, "Oh, well ummm. My shoulder hurts a bit."

Elba gave a sniff. "Uh Huh. You clench too much! Come in here."

And so began my hour long journey with a lady who focused more on the "therapist" part of her license than on the "massage" part! Smile.

Now please understand. I'm no wimp! I'm fully aware that some discomfort must be tolerated in order to help release muscles and the toxins that build up. But-oh-my-lord-have-mercy! Elba was on a search and destroy mission. Search out the evil, tense muscles and destroy what has them locked up.

At one point, I finally held up one finger to indicate that I was hurting. She ignored me. So I gave a little groan. She pressed harder. That's when I said, "Umm, that's uncomfortable!" She started crooning, "I know. I know. I'm so sorry." And promptly proceeded to press harder!!

Finally, blessed release came; and I sighed deeply knowing the worst was over. Elba made one deft move to my other side and announced, "This will hurt more! Deep breath." (You can not make up stuff this funny!)

Add to all this the flood of thoughts that was running in my head.

Elba started our "adventure" with a comment about my shoulders being ridiculously tight. In just a few short moments she was able to locate the key points of tension. Then she made a revealing observation, "You worry too much. You're carrying everybody on your shoulders."

You see, Elba had been told that I am a pastor. There were indications in her office that she is influenced more by eastern religions than by Christianity. What a perfect opportunity to tell someone about the God I serve. And when I first stepped into her office, I looked like a woman full of confidence and faith.

Elba finished the massage and I got ready to leave. But on the drive home I did some honest praying. I followed Elba's example and searched out the offending worries then began applying ample pressure from the Word to break them up. I will have to rely on the Holy Spirit to help me keep those worries from re-establishing themselves in my life.

And should I visit Elba at some point in the future, I hope that my shoulders will give a different "witness" about my ability to "cast all my cares on Him".